Milsami Orhei will play the most important duel in the club’s history in the evening of August 1. The ‘eagles’ will play the first-leg match of the Europa League third qualifying round away against Saint-Etienne of France, IPN reports.
“We didn’t come to make a simple visit as tourists. We want to show that they play football in Moldova too,” Milsami coach Stefan Stoica said before the match. The Romanian is confident in his pupils’ chances. “It is a chance for my lads to show a good performance in a match against a redoubtable opponent. Today there are no teams that cannot be beaten.”
Saint-Etienne won ten titles of champion and six Cups of France, being one of the best teams in the country. The current UEFA President Michel Platini played for this club in 1979-1982.
Officials of Saint-Etienne announced that the match on Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium is expected to be attended by about 20,000 fans.
Milsami faces a number of problems as goalgetter Gheorghe Boghiu was injured and will not play for a month. Goalkeeper Andrian Negai was suspended after he was eliminated in the match against Shakhtyor Belarus, while halfback Valentin Furdui was recently signed by Sheriff Tiraspol.
It is for the first time that Milsami reached the Europa League third qualifying round after beating Dudelange Luxemburg and Shakhtyor Soligorsk Belarus.
The return match between Milsami and Saint-Etienne will be played in Chisinau on August 8 as the stadium in Orhei was homologated by the UEFA to host only matches of the first qualifying rounds of the European cups. Saint-Etienne will be the second French team that will play against a Moldovan club. Last year, Marseille eliminated Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League playoffs.
